[High-pitched warning!] Songs with high notes that are hard to sing
The Japanese music scene is known for having a relatively low emphasis on groove, but an unusually large number of high-pitched songs.
In particular, since Japan has finally started earnestly incorporating overseas music in recent years, the overall level of songs has risen dramatically.
With that in mind, this time we’ve picked out Japanese songs that are on the higher side.
From songs with a wide vocal range, to tracks that have pinpoint high parts, to songs that stay in the high register throughout, we selected from a broad set of perspectives—so be sure to find the tracks that suit you!
- Recommended karaoke songs for male vocalists with high voices
- [Taking on a song with a wide vocal range] An S-class challenge track
- A masterpiece with exhilarating high notes. An enchanting high-tone voice.
- [Feels Great to Listen To!] Popular Songs by Female Artists with Captivating High Notes
- I want to sing songs that use a lot of falsetto—tracks that are also good for practicing falsetto at karaoke.
- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- Cool If You Can Sing! Popular Karaoke Songs Recommended for Women
- Pick out the challenging songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke!
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Recommended for teenage girls! Easy-to-sing karaoke songs
- [Challenge] A Compilation of Anime Songs with High-Pitched Melodies and High-Tone Vocals
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Great for karaoke song selection! Recommended easy-to-sing songs for Gen Z women
[High Notes Warning!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (1–10)
ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)LiSA
The song “ReawakeR (feat.
Felix of Stray Kids)” is a collaboration between Stray Kids—an idol group popular among women across a wide range of ages—and LiSA, known as a leading figure among anison singers.
This piece is challenging in every respect: rap, sustained long notes, and falsetto.
The falsetto that appears during the sustained notes in the chorus is particularly difficult, requiring you to manage falsetto while maintaining strong volume.
If you’re confident in a powerful singing style, be sure to check it out.
BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s new song “BOW AND ARROW.” Rather than the catchy pop tunes he’s known for, this piece leans more toward an artcore vibe.
As a result, the overall tempo is fast, and some phrases demand abrupt pitch jumps.
The chorus, in particular, requires repeatedly switching between falsetto and chest voice, making it quite challenging—be sure to stay mindful of precise pitch control as you sing.
Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.
Super Protagonist feat. Hatsune MikuPinokio P
Currently popular in the Vocaloid community as a seemingly eccentric yet deeply meaningful masterpiece, “Super Protagonist feat.
Hatsune Miku” is a new song by the well-known Vocaloid producer PinocchioP, featuring an ostentatious, flashy melody.
While the vocal line contains no long sustained notes, it involves drastic pitch changes and stays in a consistently high range, making it highly challenging.
Rather than being difficult for hitting high notes per se, it’s the continuous production of high notes that poses the real challenge.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
[High Notes Alert!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (11–20)
IdentityMISAMO
MISAMO is a unit composed of the Japanese members of the globally popular K-pop idol group TWICE.
They’re known for showcasing a cool style you don’t usually see in the main group, and they keep delivering hit numbers every time.
Among their songs, the one I especially recommend is Identity.
It has a somewhat calm feel, but the part right before the chorus features a fairly high falsetto, so I think vocal control, including managing volume, is quite challenging.
If you’re confident in hitting high notes while keeping your volume restrained, definitely give it a try.
lulu.Mrs. GREEN APPLE
This is the first digital single announcing the start of Mrs.’s “Phase 3.” Written specifically as the opening theme for season 2 of the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, it’s a song themed around “reincarnation,” depicting the strength with which life and memories are passed on.
Although it’s sung with a generally gentle feel, the song itself sits quite high, so breath control and core stability are very important.
If your body wobbles, your voice will also waver instead of projecting straight.
In particular, this song gradually rises in range toward the latter half, so your endurance will be tested—keep your core firmly in mind.
Shifting your weight onto one leg lets you stand solidly on a single leg, preventing your center of gravity from swaying and making it easier to produce your voice.
In that position, it’s crucial to sing while using your breath properly.
PrologueUru
This was the seventh single by Japanese singer Uru, released in December 2018.
It was also used as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Chuugaku Seishin Nikki” (Middle School Teacher’s Diary).
Although Uru keeps details of her profile completely private, her vocal ability—especially her skillful use of mixed voice through to falsetto—is truly impressive.
While she isn’t the type of so-called “powerhouse singer,” her natural finesse is, in fact, one of the most challenging qualities to replicate for karaoke.
It might be a bit difficult for those who don’t share a similar vocal timbre to sing it, but try to pay attention to maintaining as soft a delivery as possible.
If you rely on a mere imitation and sing only with superficial mouth movements, there’s a high risk the performance won’t come together as a song—so be careful about that!
Wind GodVaundy
Vaundy’s new song “Fujin.” The verses and pre-chorus lean toward neo-soul, a genre that was popular in the U.S.
in the 1990s, and then it shifts into alternative R&B for the chorus.
Because it draws heavily from Black music, it features some challenging advanced techniques, and on top of that, there’s an unusually high amount of falsetto.
From quiet falsetto to funky falsetto, it demands a wide range of head voice, making it a high-difficulty track.
Give it a try!